The Possible Dream or a New Wrinkle

ISBN-13: 9781532904639 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 158 str.

Kenneth Niles

Opis

The Possible Dream Or A New Wrinkle is an adult fantasy whose characters are mainly letters of the alphabet and English language words. The story is thought-provoking and entertaining. The protagonist, Kyle Noff, while in a coma, is immersed in a world made up of letters and words. First he finds himself in the Land of Letters where he is challenged to learn new social conventions in the form of spelling as a means to find acceptance and move on to the Land of Words. In the Land of Words and adjoining realms, Kyle is confronted by his own imaginary images of the words he sees and meets, but he must reconcile these images with the puzzling and conflicting situations posed by these characters. Several of these words - such as Justice, Thought, and Truth - become significant players and new dimensions to their meanings become apparent through their stories and interactions. These words challenge conventional thinking and demand that we look beyond the immediate and superficial to gain an appreciation of their meaning and significance. The book deals with different aspects of life that concern us all. Situations are highlighted by posing rhetorical questions, touching on: where life's journey takes us; the meaning of justice; confusion of our place in the world; the nature of God and religious beliefs; the visual and performing arts; doubt, acceptance and change. Throughout the work, contradiction and ambiguity abound, challenging readers to think about their own values. As Kyle's journey progresses, words continue to play significant roles, but emphasis shifts to more philosophical questions. While there is a good deal of tongue-in-cheek, the work addresses big questions, preeminently, personal identity. The story concludes when the protagonist must separate from his dream experiences to re-enter the real world, causing him to react with hostility and anxiety as he tries to distinguish between his dream and his waking worlds. All of this is presented with humor; we can laugh at ourselves, as we draw on parallels in our own lives.